Costa Rica offered help to Guatemala due to the emergency that this Central American nation is experiencing after the eruptions of Fuego Volcano that were reported since Sunday.
On Monday, President Carlos Alvarado telephoned his counterpart Jimmy Morales to express his solidarity and support on behalf of Costa Rica. As one of the first actions, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) activated the Emergency Operations Center (COE) to analyze the current situation in Guatemala and define possible support that first response institutions can offer.
The President of the CNE, Alexander Solís, said that he is waiting for the formal call for international assistance from Guatemala to provide the specific aid they require.
We believe that we can contribute in the search and rescue of people, technical evaluation -both infrastructure and agriculture-, humanitarian assistance, and collaboration in the recovery phase.”
Solís used the opportunity to clarify to the population that at the moment no Costa Rican institution is receiving donations, nor has it enabled bank accounts or collection centers for the collection of supplies.
Guatemala reports more than 1,700,000 people affected by the ash clouds, some 3,260 people evacuated and treated, more than 1,689 people in shelters, 46 people injured, and 65 dead.